‘Proudest win I’ve had’: James Tedesco celebrates greatest upset with the Roosters as Ivan Cleary calls out his side ahead of GF rematch

Bookmakers and critics of the Roosters were made to look silly as Trent Robinson’s men pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time against a Panthers side that copped a stinging accusation from their coach.

James Tedesco has won premierships, State of Origin series and a World Cup, but he says Friday night’s stunning upset win over the Panthers is the “proudest” he’s felt at the Roosters after a week of negative headline suggesting they were in for a hellish 2025.

A week after they conceded 50 at home against the Broncos, a severely understrength Roosters beat the four-time defending premiers 38-32 as despised $11 outsiders.

It was one of the biggest upsets in NRL history, with no one giving them a chance given they were without experienced forwards Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins and had lost 10 in a row against Penrith.

James Tedesco was elated following the shock win over Penrith. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“After last week – and then with the leaders and experience we had out this week with the young guys who had to play big minutes against a team who have been dominant for the last four years – so to come out and execute a game plan (was brilliant),” Tedesco said.

“I’m so proud to captain those boys. That’s the proudest win I’ve had with this club.

“I know there was a lot of people doubting us after last week and no one gave us a shot, but there was plenty of belief within our four walls and that’s how we’ll continue to play.”

The Roosters had been written off all week but showed the fighting spirit of a side that knows it has the talent and the leadership to compete for a spot in the finals even if no one believed in them.

“That’s what media does and people do. They’re quick to judge and it’s on us as leaders to instil that belief in those young boys,” the skipper said after setting up three tries in the win.

“We showed that belief with that performance. We’ve set ourselves up with a performance like that, but we’ve got to keep building on that.”

The Panthers were well below their best and now travel to Melbourne next week for the grand final rematch. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

As for the Panthers, this was the sort of performance we’ve hardly seen during the dynasty with Ivan Cleary’s men missing 44 tackles and making 13 errors.

The night started so well with a soft try in the opening two minutes, but they dropped off after that in their first game back since the trip to Las Vegas.

It was a humbling loss for the premiers who travel to Melbourne for the grand final rematch next week, with Cleary conceding his side lost the match before they even rocked up to CommBank Stadium.

“The unbackable favourites against a group of kids,” he said.

“We scored an easy try to start the game, and I’ve seen that a million times. Credit to the Roosters, they gave it a red hot crack and in the end were good enough to get the win.

“I think undoubtedly that some part of that is true (that we thought we’d roll on after that try). I think mostly it’s between the ears before the game is played where there’s enough distraction or whatever, which could have been a number of things.

“That game was lost before we got here, I think for whatever reason.

“That’s the classic upset and why we all love sport. Unfortunately, we were the ones that brought it to life.

“We have to make sure that in our journey we put that down to good use.”

The Panthers are also sweating on fullback Dylan Edwards who came off in the second half after pulling up while trying to stop a try.

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“He had a bit of a groin strain, but I don’t know how bad it is,” Cleary said.

“He could have kept on playing but just with the way the game was and what we needed at the time (I didn’t want to risk it).

“We had a fresh fullback sitting on the bench so that’s why we made the call.”

As off as they were, Penrith stormed home and could have sent the game to golden point had Daniel Tupou not produced a stunning try-saving tackle to deny Brian To’o in the corner.

The veteran winger was enormous for the Roosters who have blooded four rookies in the opening two rounds, with young prop Taylor Losalu matching it with Penrith’s star forwards just hours before his next shift began.

“Taylor will be on the tools tomorrow morning at 7 in the morning concreting, and that shows insight into how he goes about his game and his training and his life,” Trent Robinson said.

“There’s a future there, but we’re not sitting around waiting for it with those guys.”

Originally published as ‘Proudest win I’ve had’: James Tedesco celebrates greatest upset with the Roosters as Ivan Cleary calls out his side ahead of GF rematch